Excerpts from the obituary printed in this week's paper for Mr William George Balfour Gunn, Brora: "Brora has lost a great ambassador in the premature death of Willie Gunn, who passed away suddenly on 19th September aged 57. His close friend Bill Faassen de Heer paid a moving tribute at his largely-attended funeral service in Clyne Free Church . . . . led by his daughter and son, the family of principal mourners including his brothers and his late sister's daughter supported by former colleagues of Sutherland County and District Councils, Clyne Heritage Society and friends and acquaintances from every walk of life in East Sutherland and beyond. They demonstrated the depth of Willie Gunn's commitment to his community, and many took heart from the announcement that his children intend to complete his three-quarters finished second volume of Brora and Beyond, a millennium compilation of news and features from the Northern Times, supported by vintage photographs over the last 100 years. Bill Paassen's eulogy mentioned how often his friend over the past 20 years would be button-holed on the street by people with local concerns. On wider and more important issues Willie was a doughty fighter over the closure of the old woollen mill, the contentious construction of the new factory, the threat of closure of rural sub-post offices and the retention of local registers within the Clyne community. The fact that he part-dedicated his book to the late Jack Maclennan MBE, long time registrar and historian of the parish, indicated his own intense interest in genealogy and heritage; no inquiry from home or abroad was too much trouble, for he revelled in the detective work of tracing ancestry and studying family history. Along with Mr Maclennan's successor Stewart Maclean, he had world wide correspondence with hundreds of people of Highland origin. Willie Gunn had been born in Brora in 1944. He was employed by Sutherland County Council as a draughtsman, a skill in which he showed high proficiency. He was later transferred to the work study and human resources departments in Inverness but continued to reside in Brora. For many years he drove over the Struie twice a day in all weathers. In his early days he enjoyed playing golf, and was vice-captain of Brora Golf Clb. He also enjoyed fishing and birdwatching and all things associated with nature. He was a founder member of Clyne Heritage Society. A piper, Mark Landles, played at the graveside." Unfortunately I cannot suggest that you read the full obituary in the Northern Times because they have not included it on the internet. Willie is buried in Brora. On behalf of POSH Iain and I sent a floral tribute to the funeral. Those of us who knew Willie will never forget him. He was a cracking good guy who would do anything for you and I can personally vouch for the amount of genealogical help he gave. Christine Northamptonshire, England www.highlandhearts.com www.sutherlandheritage.com --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.393 / Virus Database: 223 - Release Date: 30/09/2002

Thanks for that, Christine. Sara ----- Original Message ----- From: "Christine Stokes" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, October 04, 2002 8:06 PM Subject: [SUT] Obituary > Excerpts from the obituary printed in this week's paper for Mr William > George Balfour Gunn, Brora: ... >Christine